Growth and development.pdf

Staff6. StaffingVacanciesWTE1999actualWTE1999per 1,000Managers & central staff 117 1.0 1 112 0.9 1Frontline staff 545 4.5 2 542 4.5 3Other 162 1.3 2 127 1.1 2Total 823 6.8 2 782 6.5 2Vacancies2000 % Vacancies2000SWs with adults 3 9.4 7.8 – – 10.9SWs with children 8 19.0 7.4 – – 10.7SWs with offenders 0 0 7.5 – – 7.2Generic workers 0 0 8.0 – – 12.7Total 11 12.6 7.7 – – 10.5* East Ayrshire did not submit staffing figures for 2001Quartile1999% Vacancies2000ScotlandWTE2000actualWTE2000per 1,000Vacancies2001* % Vacancies2001Quartile2000% Vacancies2001ScotlandThere is a relatively high ratio of managerial staff to front-line staff. In 2000 vacancy levels werebelow average, levels have increased subsequently and significant difficulties were reported inrecruiting and retaining particular staff for children’s services, where the vacancy rate in spring2002 was 25%. The situation is likely to deteriorate with the increasing demand on services.Difficulties with recruitment have also been experienced for staff working in residential homesfor older people.The Council has re-introduced a secondment scheme for access to DipSW training by distancelearning and made additional responsibility payments for student practice supervisors and mentalhealth officers. There is a commitment to the appointment of senior practitioners, across all caregroups, open to all staff of three years’ experience or more who are able to display additionalcompetencies.7. Modernising servicesThe educational and social services departments are awaiting publication of codes of guidancefrom the Commission for Racial Equality before preparing a Race Equality Scheme.The Council has been developing the infrastructure to improve access to public services by:• creating access points at which residents can obtain information in person, by telephone oronline; and• co-locating services where appropriate: e.g. the Dalmellington area centre combines police,council, health and voluntary sector services under one roof.Work has commenced on an information sharing protocol for mental health services and anAyrshire-wide bid has been made for Modernising Government second round funding todevelop an electronic information system.68